Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Little Wenatchee Gorge
Perhaps the "best kept secret" among the scores of trails within the Lake Wenatchee region, this one follows along the Little Wenatchee River at a dramatic gorge. A wonderful destination for hikers of all ages and abilities, the river puts on quite a show as it tumbles and froths over rapids and beneath ledges. Amble or while away the afternoon, or combine this hike with one of the other nearby short but sweet trails.
The trail takes off south from the quiet campground and then immediately swings west. The spur that continues south follows Elevenmile Creek for a short distance to the Little Wenatchee River. It's not a bad diversion if you miss the turn. The main trail, however, continues across a bench of hemlock and huckleberry, shortly meeting up with the river at an inviting spot that encourages napping and picnicking. Directly across from the pristine waterway, Theseus Creek tumbles into it by a small campsite. Heading upstream, the trail hugs the riverbank. Majestic Doug-firs and a few western white pines shade the way. After passing beneath a small scree slope, the trail makes a short steep climb. Notice the tread work. Is this perhaps a portion of the original trail to Cady Pass before logging roads shortened and obliterated much of the route? Notice too that you are now at the head of the gorge. Avoid a spur that heads right, back to the road, and continue left to steeply drop back to river level. Now walk languidly along the crashing river, gazing into rapids and swirls and admiring tight chasms that thunder when the water level is high. Keep children and pooches close by at some of the gorge overlooks. Catch glimpses of Labyrinth Mountain rising above in the distance. After you pass a small punchbowl waterfall, the gorge broadens. And after passing its confluence with Lake Creek, the river once again makes a tight squeeze. A spectacular rapids-fed bowl will hold your attention. Beyond, the river resumes a more mellow flow, while the trail ends at an old road 1.5 miles from the trailhead. Return via the same route or turn right and follow FR 65 back to your vehicle.
Driving Directions:
From Everett head east on US 2 for 85 miles to Coles Corner. (From Leaven-worth travel west on US 2 for 15 miles.) Turn left (north) onto State Route 207 (signed for Lake Wenatchee) and proceed 4.2 miles to a Y intersection after crossing the Wenatchee River. Bear left onto North Shore Road. At 7.6 miles, after passing the ranger station and crossing the White River, the road becomes Forest Road 65. Continue west on FR 65 for 8.8 miles to Lake Creek Campground. The trail begins at the far south end of the campground (elev. 2300 ft). Privy available. Recent Trip Reports
Hiked here recently?
Submit a trip report!
There are
56
trip reports for this hike.
See all trip reports for this hike.
Little Wenatchee Gorge, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section K - Stevens Pass - East to Rainy Pass
— Aug 14, 2011
— scout677
Multi-night backpack
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns | Overgrown | Water on trail | Snow on trail | Bugs
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
This was the 50 mile hike for our boy scout troop this summer. The little wenatchee trail is very ov...
This was the 50 mile hike for our boy scout troop this summer. The little wenatchee trail is very overgrown but easy to follow until meander meadow. At meander meadow, the trail is closed for restoration and a new trail takes you to the pct. The new trail is in good shape. As we went north to white pass on the second day, we encountered patchy snow but it was never really an issue. The trail was very wet though and had water running down it most of the time though and if there was no water, it was muddy. The trail was very passable and easy to follow nonetheless. South of meander meadow was a different story however. The trail becomes mostly snow covered until about the top lake trail junction. Lake sally ann is still 75% frozen and the trail is probably 85% snow covered between meander and lake sally ann. The snow makes it very slow going. Crampons, trekking poles and gators would have been great. Postholing was never really an issue though. Between lake sally ann and pear lake, the trail is still mostly snow covered. The are some treacherous snow field crossings about 2 miles north of pear lake. Ropes were necessary. This part of the trail was barely passable. it probably won't melt out this year. Stil a good 4 to 5 feet of snow in spots. The hike was beautiful and the wildflowers were great everywhere. South of pear lake, trail is in good shape with only patchy snow all the way to stevens pass. The bugs are terrible in this stretch though. Lake janus was a mosquito heaven. I counted 88 bug bites in total and I was wearing long pants and long sleeves and a head net.
All in all, wait a year. The hike is beautiful but the pct is snow covered and muddy. It is very slow going and treacherous in some spots. Less than 1 mph between meander and lake sally ann. A gps unit is a must on these trails this year as there are no footprints and you have to find the trail again after every snowfield.
Little Wenatchee Gorge
— Jul 08, 2011
— SaucyB
Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
Easy to get to this trail, paved road nearly the whole way.
Delightful and relatively easy trail...
Easy to get to this trail, paved road nearly the whole way.
Delightful and relatively easy trail, with a couple short stretches of elevation gain but much that is nearly level or slightly meandering. You'll follow the river nearly the whole way, with views of the mountains to your left. This is a new favorite, wonderful for those who want a beautiful after dinner or before dinner amble without excessive challenges, but all the views!
Little Wenatchee Gorge, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section K - Stevens Pass - East to Rainy Pass, Cady Ridge, Meander Meadow - Dishpan Gap - Cady Ridge Loop
— Aug 05, 2010
— consed
Multi-night backpack
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Overgrown | Bugs
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
Up Little Wenatchee River Trail. Bushy but dry contrary to other hike reports (but only because it ...
Up Little Wenatchee River Trail. Bushy but dry contrary to other hike reports (but only because it hadn't rained that day). Camped in a wooded area about 2/3rd way up to Meander Meadow. Terrible mosquitoes (you couldn't do anything requiring 2 hands at once). Biting flies, too. Up to Meader Meadow and took new trail (east side of Meander Meadow) to PCT and camped with view of Glacier Peak. Beautiful views everywhere. Bad mosquitoes but some parts of campsite had a good breeze which helped. Camped 2 nights and day hiked to Indian Pass and back, establishing that old REI gortex parkas can get waterlogged, heavy, and leak. Visualize taking off muddy boots, and then climbing onto sleeping bag in tent with muddy hands. Profusion of wildflowers: pink and white heather, columbine, tiger lilly, indian paintbrush, lupine, tow-headed baby, dirty socks, but no avalanche lilly or glacier lilly (too late?). Verdent green of false hellebore foliage. Huckleberry bushes had no berries hence no bears, but saw marmots and birds with nests (and eggs) even 1 foot from trail. Hiked out over Dishpan Gap. Brush (lupine and huckleberry bushes) were loaded with water. Some hikers reported dumping water out of their boots. I wore gaiters and rain chaps over gaiters so the wet brush didn't affect me (but leaking boots did). Cady Ridge trail had gorgeous fields of blooming lupine. Little Wenatchee Creek at bridge/trailhead was great for aching feet.
Multi-night backpack
Issues:
Blowdowns | Overgrown | Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
Set out from the trailhead at 440PM Friday. Arrived at the meadow at the base of the vertical bit cl...
Set out from the trailhead at 440PM Friday. Arrived at the meadow at the base of the vertical bit close to twilight. Camped in the field with two other parties. The campsite just inside the trees on the left of the trail as you enter the field is very nice if available. There is uncrowded tent space three in this
The trail in was good. Climbs steadily the whole way through fragrant meadows, breathing forests, and over snowmelt. We encountered a few blowdowns; though none was major. The dogs got under/over all of them just fine. The trail was overgrown with soft vegetation in spots (which from my experience is standard for this trail). Plenty of snowmelt water all along the route. No major washouts. Plenty of bear poop right in the trail, but no bears. On the second day we did the vertical bit. It's nonstop uphill, but afforded occasional breezy, shady passages ideal for the odd moment of rest & recoupment. The trail was substantially snow free the whole way up to the top, where we had to cross three increasingly large snowfields: snowfields which turned back the two other parties on the trail that day, giving us the meadow to ourselves. We slept outside both nights no problem. Bugs: no problem. The dogs were quiet both nights. We had meant to take the Cady Ridge loop, but saw as we ascended it was still snowed in over most of its length. We followed the trail up along the N wall above Meander Meadow and ran into deep snow at the top. Sunday AM back down the snow, hill climb, and walk out. Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
Needed a short hike below the snow level and this one proved to be a gem. The Little Wenatchee River...
Needed a short hike below the snow level and this one proved to be a gem. The Little Wenatchee River is running strong with snow melt, there are a few Trillium beginning to bloom, met only one other group, all in all a perfect day.
Concur with the recommendation for kids, although there is some significant exposure, so i wouldn't do this with a 2 year old. If you want to make it a one way 1.5 mile hike, you can stash a bike or second car at the turn around point. To find this continue west on FS 65 for 1.3 miles. An old road branches off left going down toward the river, this is where you can join the west end of the trail. |
 Little Wenatchee Gorge. Photo by Shadowdad.
2010
Map it
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
